Ventilated boot or shoe



(No Moae.)

H. A. STEVENS.

VBNTILATED BOOT OR SHOE. NO. 381,962. y Patented Mayv 1, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. STEVENS, OE LAKE CITY, MINNESOTA.

VENTILATED BOOT OR SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 381,962, dated May 1,1888.

Application filed November 22, 1887. Serial No. 255,866. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. STEvENs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lake City, in the county of Wabasha and State of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ventilating Bootsor` `shown and described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

The invention may be applied to a boot or shoe or any other form offoot-covering either of rubber, leather, or othermaterial; but for thepurpose of illustration I have shown it in the drawings applied to anordinary shoe.

Figure 1 represents a sectional side view of the shoe withvmy improvedVentilating attachment arranged therein. Fig. 2 is aplan view of a shoepartially constructed, showing the manner of arranging theventilating-tube therein. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the heel portion,illustratingv the manner of arranging the plate and spiral tubes. Figs.4 and 5 are perspective views of the heel-plate detached. Fig. 6 is asectional side view, and Fig. 7 is a plan view,

similar to Figs. l and 2, illustrating a slight modification in themanner of arranging the spiral tube. Fig. Sis a detached perspectiveview of the toe-plate used-in the 'modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

A represents the upper, B the insole, Gthe counter, D the outer sole,and E the heel, all arranged in the ordinary manner.

Before theouter sole, D, is attached upon theI shoe one or morechannels, a, will be formed in it and a corresponding channel orchannels formed in the outer sole, the channels adapted to receive acoiled wire tubular spring, b, as shown. tube b is shown curved aroundin thetoeportion and running along each side and brought together andconducted upward into a channel in the counter C, and ending in cavitiesor sockets din a plate, F, the latter adapted to be held between thecounter and the outer covering or heel portion A of the upper A. In thechannel a a number of perforations, a',

In Figs. 1,'2, and 3 this will be formed through the insole, connectingthe channel with the interior of the boot or shoe, while a perforation,a2, will be formed through the heel portion A of the upper, opposite achamber, d', in the upper part of the plate F, as shown in Figs. 1, 2,3, and 4, this chamber communicating with the sockets d for the tube b.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a slight modification in the manner of constructing thedevice is shown, consisting in forming the tube b in one single line andconnecting it near the toe portion to a plate, G, embedded into theinsole and connected by a perforation, a, with the interior of t-he bootor shoe. The hole a2 will be high enough above the lower surface of thesole to prevent water or other foreign matter from entering it.

By this simple device the air which has heretofore been confined in thetoe portion of boots and shoes is free to escape, while at the same timethe free access of fresh air to the interior of the shoe prevents theperspiration of the foot being confined therein, but leaves it free toevaporate through the tube b, thus "preventing the foot from becomingheated in warm weather or cold in cold weather. The

free circulation of the air also effectually prevents the formation ofcorns and bunions on the feet of the wearer.

The plate G upon the tube b prevents it being turned around in thechannel a, or otherwise displaced. 'Ihe plate F is also an impor tantfeature of my invention, as it not only forms a secure support andsocket for the tube, but .also protects the inlet end of the tubes frompressure or friction fromthe outside.

The tube b may be constructed of any suit able material or of 1anydesired form or size. It may be made of wire, as shown, or of paper,

rubber, leather, celluloid, or other pyroxyline compounds, metal tubing,or wood, or other substances.

Having thus described myinvention, what I ,claim as new is-e F, havingone or more sockets, d, for the 'reception of the end of said tube andadapted to IOO be held between the counter and heel portion In testimonywhereof I have hereunto set my ofthe upper of said boot or shoe,substantially hand in the presence of two subscribing Witas and for thepurpose set forth. nesses.

2. The combination, with a boot or shoe 5 having a channel, a, formed inthe insole and HENRY A. STEVENS.

having communication with the exterior air, of the plate G in the toe ofthe shoe, and a W'itnesses: spiral Wire tube, b, connecting with thesaid A. VELLS, plate and inserted in the said channel, allsub- J. l?.MARTIN. 1o stantially as and for the purpose set forth. l

